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Moldmaking with Silicones – an Introduction
What advantages does silicone rubber offer for moldmaking and prototyping? What are typical applications? And why are confectioners, restorers and industrial users alike all sold on silicones? You will find an overview here with links to additional information.
Silicone Elastomers: A Multifaceted Material
The unique property profile of silicone rubber compounds makes them indispensable in a variety of industrial applications. In moldmaking and prototyping, the most convincing properties are:
Good Mechanical Properties
Silicone rubber is available in grades ranging from very soft to hard. Their specialty? Even very flexible grades offer outstanding tear resistance. Mechanical properties remain stable over long periods of time.
Colored or Transparent Materials Available
When used for rapid prototyping, transparent grades allow manufacturers to cut the master from the silicone mold. With colored compounds, you can check the correct application of the silicone compound for skin molds.
Resistance to Many Reproduction Materials
Silicone rubber can be used for virtually any reproduction material, from plaster and wax to concrete and even low-melting metals. Special grades of silicone rubber are recommended for certain casting resins.
Highly Accurate Molds
Silicone elastomers yield molds offering an exceptional level of detail and precision. Also, molds made from addition-curing curing grades reproduce dimensions with complete accuracy.
Easy to Mix
Silicone moldmaking compounds consist of two components that can be blended at room temperature using either a spatula or stirring equipment. Products with a 1:1 mixing ratio are available for particularly easy dosing.
Compatible with Food
Some of our products are suitable for food contact and meet the requirements of corresponding FDA standards.
High Heat Resistance
Silicone elastomers retain their properties even in prolonged heat (+180 °C). Specialty silicone rubber grades are even suitable for casting low-melting metal alloys (maximum melting point: 270 – 300 °C).
Easy to Demold
Silicone rubber yields flexible molds that can be used without release agents. Even complex geometries release quickly and easily as a result.
Excellent Low-Temperature Flexibility
Molds made from silicone rubber remain flexible even at prolonged low temperatures (down to -50 °C).
Discover the ELASTOSIL® M silicone rubber product range for moldmaking and prototyping:
ELASTOSIL® M: Silicone Rubber Built on Experience
WACKER has been manufacturing silicone rubber since the 1950s. With ELASTOSIL® M, we offer a product range that was specially developed for moldmaking and prototyping. Drawing on longstanding experience in development, manufacturing and applications, ELASTOSIL® M silicone rubber’s numerous, often specialized applications and optimal properties still convince today. Typical properties include:
Industrial Printing Applications
Pads for pad printing on keyboards, toys, athletic gear and automobile components
Prototyping
Prototyping (visualization, working and preseries models) and small-scale production
Vacuum Bag Technology
Vacuum bags for infusion and prepreg processes in composite molding
Construction Molding
Molds for facade elements, face brick, tiles and plumbing fixtures made from concrete and artificial stone
Food and Food Decoration
Molds for cakes, cake decoration, chocolates, desserts, etc.
Tire Mold Manufacturing
Molds for manufacturing tire production molds and for developing new tires
Good Work: What Inspires Perfectionists
From star desserts to werewolf paws: WACKER silicone rubber is a favorite with those who want more – more transparency, more creative freedom, more reproductions per mold, accurate details See for yourself.
“I’ve used different materials at other locations. But with silicone, it was love at first sight. It is easy to mix, easy to use, feels good and accurately reproduces the details on the original.”Prof. Annamaria Baciu, restorer for the Old Casino, Arad, Romania
Read how the ornate ornaments of the old casino in Arad, Romania were given a new lease on life:
“Silicone gives us a chance to create something hyperrealistic for the first time.” Brigitte Frank, head of the makeup and hairstyling team, Munich Kammerspiele
Find out how makeup artists at the Munich Kammerspiele meet the sophisticated artistic demands of famous theaters:
“Silicone is no problem to cool and it’s easy to clean, and that means you can refill it faster.” Carlos Deleye, pastry chef
Discover the secret behind tempting gourmet desserts:
Interested in Finding Out More?
You will find more articles with application examples in our WACKER Magazine:
Simply Download and Click Your Way Through
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about moldmaking with silicones. All in one document.
Our interactive PDF shows what silicones can do, what you have to consider, and how to select the right silicone rubber.
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